THE more this evergreen shrub crosses my path,” says shrub expert Michael Dirr in his Trees & Shrubs for Warm Climates, “the greater my appreciation of its floral attributes.”
Mahonias are bold, evergreen shrubs featuring leathery leaves divided into segments rather like those of a rose but on a larger scale. The leaves are prickly along their edges but the branches are thorn-free, and mahonias could be described loosely as evergreen barberries, to which they are closely related.
Flowers and berries
The small, dainty, rounded, almost bell-like yellow flowers open in winter, spring or autumn – depending on the variety – and are gathered in clusters or in fountains or
